Contract Officers & Special Terms
The rules governing non-permanent appointments — temporary staff, contract officers, technical assistants from multilateral/bilateral agencies, the 25% gratuity, the six-year maximum, and how special terms override General Orders where they conflict.
GO 02123 sets out the conditions for temporary appointments: terminable by one month's notice from either side, paid at the same rate as the permanent appointment equivalent, subject to the same disciplinary regulations, and entitled to annual leave only after 12 continuous months. Temporary appointees receive a 25% contract gratuity upon satisfactory completion (except month-to-month contracts), with a maximum duration of six years. Chapter 13 addresses officers on 'special terms' — defined as non-Gambian nationals offered temporary appointments with notice exceeding one month (GO 13101). Such officers are subject to General Orders, Financial Instructions, the Act, and Public Service Regulations, but where their special terms conflict with these instruments, the special terms take precedence (GO 13102). This creates a clear legal hierarchy: special contract terms override General Orders for these officers.
Chapter 12 of the PPM covers Technical Assistants (TAs) and contract officer management. TAs are individuals provided by multilateral agencies or bilateral arrangements to accomplish specific tasks within fixed periods. Their recruitment serves two purposes: performing operational tasks that current government staff cannot do, and transferring skills to Gambian nationals. TA recruitment must be coordinated between the PMO and HR sections to ensure effective skill transfer and counterpart staff training. Temporary appointments must be cleared with the PS-PMO with full details. Officers may continue beyond retirement age 60 on contract basis if Government considers it in the public interest — contract periods are usually one to two years with a maximum of six years, renewed based on satisfactory performance. Contract officers receive annual leave appropriate to their grade and the 25% gratuity upon satisfactory completion.